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Cleric repents over Christmas exclusions

The Right Reverend John Chalmers promises a warm welcome to all worshippersJames Glossop/ The Times

The moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who once criticised those who go to church only once a year, has repented and pledged to welcome Christmas churchgoers with open arms.

The Right Rev John Chalmers said his comments as a young presbyterian minister were “foolish”, and promised a warm welcome to people who want “to put Christ back into Christmas”.

In a Christmas message on the church’s national website, Mr Chalmers says: “Years ago I thought it was the role of a presbyterian minister to be critical of all the excess materialism which pervaded Christmas. So one Christmas Eve in front of packed congregation . . . I put the tin lid on it by criticising those who only came to church once a…

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